Empty pill bottles can be surprisingly useful once they’re thoroughly cleaned and any personal information is removed from the label.
Here are some practical ways to reuse them:
- Travel containers: Store cotton swabs, cotton balls, hair ties, or small amounts of lotion (if the bottle seals well).
- Mini first-aid kit: Keep bandages, antiseptic wipes, and a few pieces of gauze together.
- Coin holder: Keep spare change in your car for parking meters or tolls.
- Earbud organizer: Prevent earbuds or charging cables from getting tangled.
- Sewing kit: Store needles, thread, buttons, and safety pins.
- Seed storage: Keep garden or flower seeds dry and labeled until planting season.
- Small hardware organizer: Separate screws, nails, nuts, bolts, or washers.
- Craft supplies: Store beads, glitter, sequins, or small paintbrushes.
- Emergency cash: Hide a small amount of cash in a safe place while traveling or hiking.
- Pet treats: Carry a day’s worth of small treats on walks.
A few precautions:
- Don’t reuse old prescription bottles to store medications unless they’re clearly relabeled, as this can cause dangerous mix-ups.
- Remove or black out personal information on the prescription label before reusing or recycling.
- If you don’t need them, many pharmacies or local recycling programs can advise on proper disposal, though not all curbside recycling programs accept pill bottles.
Repurposing them is a simple way to reduce waste while keeping small items organized.
